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Boycott Turkey, Azerbaijan: Though this accounts for less than 5% of travel bookings to the two countries, travel sentiment is shifting rapidly amid geopolitical tensions.
Cleartrip reported a 260% surge in cancellation of trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan over the past week, MakeMyTrip noted bookings dropped 60%, while cancellations rose by 250%.
Boycott Turkey, Azerbaijan: Amid rising calls to boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan, Indian travellers are cancelling trips to these countries to prioritise national interest, with travel platforms reporting over 2,000 cancellations in just a few days, according to a report by Moneycontrol. The sentiment shift comes in the wake of the two countries’ unfavourable stance towards India amid the border tension with Pakistan.
Indian travellers are pressing pause on non-essential travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan, as tensions rise over their stance towards India on geopolitical matters. The slogan “nation first” has resonated widely across social media and beyond, translating into tangible travel decisions.
According to Moneycontrol, a senior airline official said, “We have received around 2,000 cancellations and rescheduling requests in the last week for travel to Istanbul and Baku over the next three months.”
Though this accounts for less than 5 per cent of all travel bookings to the two countries as of now, travel sentiment is shifting rapidly amid geopolitical tensions.
Booking Trends Show a Sharp Turn
According to the report, travel companies are witnessing a wave of cancellations:
Cleartrip reported a 260% surge in cancellations over the past week.
Yatra has seen over 50% of holiday packages cancelled to Turkey and Azerbaijan since May 7.
MakeMyTrip (MMT) noted bookings to the two destinations dropped 60%, while cancellations rose by 250%.
“In solidarity with the nation and in the interest of standing together during this time, we urge everyone to defer all non-essential travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan,” Cleartrip said.
MakeMyTrip stated on May 14, “We stand in solidarity with our nation and out of deep respect for our armed forces. We strongly support this sentiment and advise against all non-essential travel to Azerbaijan and Turkey.” The company has discontinued all promotions and offers for the two countries.
According to the report, Rikant Pittie, CEO and co-founder of EaseMyTrip, also confirmed a dip in sentiment, “Many potential travellers are now opting to delay their trips… This shift reflects a growing sense of awareness and prudence among Indian tourists in the light of the ongoing geopolitical situation.”
The platform has recorded 22% cancellations for Turkey and 30% for Azerbaijan.
Flights Still Operational – But with Fewer Enquiries
Despite the rising cancellations, no direct flights between India and Turkey or Azerbaijan have been cancelled yet, according to flight tracking platform Flightradar24.
IndiGo continues to operate two daily flights to Istanbul from Delhi and Mumbai.
Turkish Airlines runs daily flights to Delhi and Mumbai and a weekly flight to Chennai.
IndiGo also operates the only direct service between Delhi and Baku.
However, demand is falling. Govind Gaur, CEO and founder of travel platform WanderOn, said, “Most Indian travellers with existing bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan are cancelling their plans and have requested a refund or to reschedule to other destinations.”
Travel Industry Voices Echo National Mood
Several industry stakeholders have joined the call to boycott these destinations. The Karnataka State Travel Operators Association and various travel entrepreneurs across India have said that despite the two countries benefiting over Rs 1,200 crore annually from Indian tourism, “no business is above our nation’s security and dignity.”
Hari Ganapathy, co-founder of Pickyourtrail, which has suspended bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan, said: “Some Indian tourists are enquiring about travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan but we are responding to them with suggestions to other safer destinations.”
Financial Hit for Turkey and Azerbaijan
India is one of the largest outbound travel markets for both countries, second only to China in terms of growth potential.
- Over 2.7 lakh Indian tourists visited Turkey in 2024, up 20.7% from 2023.
- Azerbaijan welcomed about 2.43 lakh Indians in 2024, a jump from 60,731 in 2022.
- Indian tourists spend Rs 1–1.25 lakh per trip in Azerbaijan and Rs 2.9–3.35 lakh in Turkey.
According to the report, Rikant Pittie said, “Trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan often involve high-value segments such as destination weddings, luxury holidays, and corporate retreats. The financial impact of Indian tourism is considerable.”
He warned of a broader impact across the tourism ecosystem, adding, “A decline in travel from India is likely to have a considerable effect across various parts of the tourism ecosystem in both countries.”
Gaur added, “The sudden drop in Indian tourists will impact their revenue streams, especially in sectors like luxury travel, weddings, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).”
Shift in Travel Preferences
With Turkey and Azerbaijan falling out of favour, Indian travellers are looking elsewhere. Southeast Asian countries are becoming preferred alternatives.
According to Sabina Chopra, COO and co-founder of Yatra, “Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia have emerged as the preferred choices due to their affordability, ease of travel, and diverse experiences.”
Georgia is also gaining traction, with Indian tourists showing interest in Tbilisi and Stepantsminda for their scenic charm and easier visa processes.
Ganapathy added, “Some Indian travellers are switching to safer destinations like Morocco and Cambodia, which continue to see strong interest due to their accessibility and safety for Indians.”
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